speculation

[ spek-yuh-ley-shuhn ]

/ ˌspɛk yəˈleɪ ʃən /

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noun

the contemplation or consideration of some subject: to engage in speculation on humanity's ultimate destiny.

a single instance or process of consideration.

a conclusion or opinion reached by such contemplation: These speculations are impossible to verify.

conjectural consideration of a matter; conjecture or surmise: a report based on speculation rather than facts.

engagement in business transactions involving considerable risk but offering the chance of large gains, especially trading in commodities, stocks, etc., in the hope of profit from changes in the market price.

a speculative commercial venture or undertaking.

OTHER WORDS FOR speculation

3 supposition, view, theory, hypothesis.

See synonyms for speculation on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of speculation

1325–75; Middle English speculacioun<Late Latin speculātiōn- (stem of speculātiō) exploration, observation. See speculate, -ion

OTHER WORDS FROM speculation

an·ti·spec·u·la·tion, noun, adjectivenon·spec·u·la·tion, nouno·ver·spec·u·la·tion, nounpre·spec·u·la·tion, noun

sem·i·spec·u·la·tion, noun

How to use speculation in a sentence

They are always suspended over a precipice, dangling by a slender thread that shows every sign of snapping.
How the PC Police Threaten Free Speech|Nick Gillespie|January 9, 2015|DAILY BEAST
And now, similarly, former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee: "Bend over and take it like a prisoner!"
Huckabee 2016: Bend Over and Take It Like a Prisoner!|Olivia Nuzzi|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Perhaps on his own nowadays, Epstein is trying his best to webmaster over a dozen URLs.
Sleazy Billionaire’s Double Life Featured Beach Parties With Stephen Hawking|M.L. Nestel|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But yes, I pictured a James Bond-type just sauntering over to her.
‘Archer’ Creator Adam Reed Spills Season 6 Secrets, From Surreal Plotlines to Life Post-ISIS|Marlow Stern|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST

The debate over who really pulled off the Sony hack, then, could continue indefinitely.
Was Sony Hit With a Second Hack?|Shane Harris|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It is most peculiar, and when he plays that way, the most bewitching little expression comes over his face.
Music-Study in Germany|Amy Fay
All over the world the just claims of organized labor are intermingled with the underground conspiracy of social revolution.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
After we had passed over this desert, we found several garisons to defend the caravans from the violence of the Tartars.
The Life and Most Surprising Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, of York, Mariner (1801)|Daniel Defoe
After relievedly giving the pistol to the nearest soldier, he stumbled quickly over to Brion and took his hand.
Sense of Obligation|Henry Maxwell Dempsey (AKA Harry Harrison)
Solely over one man therein thou hast quite absolute control.
Pearls of Thought|Maturin M. Ballou

British Dictionary definitions for speculation

speculation

/ (ˌspɛkjʊˈleɪʃən) /

noun

the act or an instance of speculating

a supposition, theory, or opinion arrived at through speculating

investment involving high risk but also the possibility of high profits

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

speculation

OTHER WORDS FOR speculation

Origin of speculation

OTHER WORDS FROM speculation

Words related to speculation

How to use speculation in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for speculation